i3 Development Competition Completes Initial Phase

The Investing in Innovation (i3) Development competition supports projects that accelerate student achievement and drive innovation in K-12 education. Today, the U.S. Department of Education posted the highly rated pre-applications for the 2014 i3 Development competition.

The Department of Education received 395 pre-applications for the initial phase of the Development competition, and has invited 118 pre-applicants to submit full applications. Other pre-applicants may also choose to submit a full application and can find additional information here.

The i3 Development grants are up to $3 million total over three to five years. Crucially, each i3-funded project will be part of an independent evaluation to better understand and share what works, so that educators and researchers can build on the successes and challenges of these efforts.

For this year’s competition, pre-applicants addressed several priorities:

using technology effectively;

serving English learners (Els);

serving students with disabilities;

serving rural communities;

improving the effectiveness of teachers and principals; and

improving low-performing schools.

Highly rated pre-applicants have until August 11, 2014 to expand their pre-applications into full applications. Additional information on the full Development application package and instructions can be found here.

Following a peer review process, the Department will announce the highest-rated applicants this fall. To learn more about the i3 grant program and the Development competition’s highly rated pre-applicants and process, click here to visit the i3 website.